OT: 6th Grade Football in Milton, GA

[javadoc]

I live in far western Alpharetta, GA, where Alpharetta, Roswell, and Milton meet. My son is in 6th grade, and this semester we enrolled him in the Milton Junior Eagles football program. Milton HS is up the street less than 5 minutes driving time. This is my first experience with organized sports, and I have some observations and questions.

My first observation is that the coaches seem to be parents of kids on the team, mostly. This includes Matt Battaglia, who played at Louisville, flirted with the NFL, and has a lengthy film career. Also Donte Rumph, who played at Kentucky, and spent a while in the NFL. The head coach was on the UCF basketball team; his son is the starting QB, despite being in 5th grade. Are the coaches typically athletes who played some sport at a non-trivial level? Is it unusual to have NFL types coaching?

Coach Rumph talked to me recently, and he is friends with Marquis Spruill. They both attended Fork Union, both were drafted by the Falcons, and they are still in touch. Cuse connection, check.

After watching 5 games in person, I'm amazed at the level of football on display for 11-year-old kids.

 

[texascpa]

I was a former coach, board member and 2-year President of our local youth football league that had over 1800 kids playing from 4 years old to 6th grade. Was involved in the league for 15 years.

Every league has some amount of coaches that played college or even pro - even mine. But, most coaches and volunteers are dads living through their kids. You'll find a few who just enjoy the game and like to teach.

As for your last comment, nothing opened ups parents eyes more to the capabilities of their kids than organized sports, IMHO. What seems confusing to most parents becomes second nature to the kids. One year we had 40-50 plays the kids had the memorize. Another, I used a numeric system to call the plays. The QBs had to understand what each digit represented. When I coached 1st/2nd grade flag, I used to let my QB call the plays in the huddle. I knew then the kid was going to be good. It's amazing to see when it all comes together.

BTW, that QB in 2nd grade, ended up starting at SMU and was drafted into the NFL last year.

 

[shu 49]

I live in far western Alpharetta, GA, where Alpharetta, Roswell, and Milton meet. My son is in 6th grade, and this semester we enrolled him in the Milton Junior Eagles football program. Milton HS is up the street less than 5 minutes driving time. This is my first experience with organized sports, and I have some observations and questions.

My first observation is that the coaches seem to be parents of kids on the team, mostly. This includes Matt Battaglia, who played at Louisville, flirted with the NFL, and has a lengthy film career. Also Donte Rumph, who played at Kentucky, and spent a while in the NFL. The head coach was on the UCF basketball team; his son is the starting QB, despite being in 5th grade. Are the coaches typically athletes who played some sport at a non-trivial level? Is it unusual to have NFL types coaching?

Coach Rumph talked to me recently, and he is friends with Marquis Spruill. They both attended Fork Union, both were drafted by the Falcons, and they are still in touch. Cuse connection, check.

After watching 5 games in person, I'm amazed at the level of football on display for 11-year-old kids.

It’s amazing when ex college or nfl guys coach these kids. Their fundamentals are clearly much better than a dad who sat the bench on varsity football team. Also helps the kids have respect for the coaches. U should be really glad u have them to help out. Ur son can learn a lot from them.

 

[CuseLegacy]

I live in far western Alpharetta, GA, where Alpharetta, Roswell, and Milton meet. My son is in 6th grade, and this semester we enrolled him in the Milton Junior Eagles football program. Milton HS is up the street less than 5 minutes driving time. This is my first experience with organized sports, and I have some observations and questions.

My first observation is that the coaches seem to be parents of kids on the team, mostly. This includes Matt Battaglia, who played at Louisville, flirted with the NFL, and has a lengthy film career. Also Donte Rumph, who played at Kentucky, and spent a while in the NFL. The head coach was on the UCF basketball team; his son is the starting QB, despite being in 5th grade. Are the coaches typically athletes who played some sport at a non-trivial level? Is it unusual to have NFL types coaching?

Coach Rumph talked to me recently, and he is friends with Marquis Spruill. They both attended Fork Union, both were drafted by the Falcons, and they are still in touch. Cuse connection, check.

After watching 5 games in person, I'm amazed at the level of football on display for 11-year-old kids.

When my one nephew from Texas was in sixth grade some of the Dad Coaches were Dallas Cowboy players/neighbors.

 

[721Comstock]

I was a former coach, board member and 2-year President of our local youth football league that had over 1800 kids playing from 4 years old to 6th grade. Was involved in the league for 15 years.

Every league has some amount of coaches that played college or even pro - even mine. But, most coaches and volunteers are dads living through their kids. You'll find a few who just enjoy the game and like to teach.

As for your last comment, nothing opened ups parents eyes more to the capabilities of their kids than organized sports, IMHO. What seems confusing to most parents becomes second nature to the kids. One year we had 40-50 plays the kids had the memorize. Another, I used a numeric system to call the plays. The QBs had to understand what each digit represented. When I coached 1st/2nd grade flag, I used to let my QB call the plays in the huddle. I knew then the kid was going to be good. It's amazing to see when it all comes together.

BTW, that QB in 2nd grade, ended up starting at SMU and was drafted into the NFL last year.

That’s impressive as hell!!
Especially for a 2nd grader.

Doogie Howitzer.

 

[AZOrange]

That’s impressive as hell!!
Especially for a 2nd grader.

Doogie Howitzer.

Having just coached in a competitive 1/2 it seems impossible unless you have 3 plays. 3/4 for sure. My 1/2s were oblivious

 

[texascpa]

Having just coached in a competitive 1/2 it seems impossible unless you have 3 plays. 3/4 for sure. My 1/2s were oblivious

We had at least 12-15 plays for our 1st/2nd grade team IIRC.

Let's see:
QB sneak
Off tackle (2 plays)
Sweeps (2 plays)
Dives (2 plays)
QB Bootlegs (2 plays)
A couple-three passes (kid had an arm even in 2nd grade)
Probably had a reverse or some other fun play, as well

 

[All4SU]

It’s amazing when ex college or nfl guys coach these kids. Their fundamentals are clearly much better than a dad who sat the bench on varsity football team. Also helps the kids have respect for the coaches. U should be really glad u have them to help out. Ur son can learn a lot from them.

While this is certainly true, I can tell you that any youth sports organization is/should be grateful for any participation by parents. There is a shortage of people who will help out, even if they have to learn as they go. It’s not ideal but it beats having no one step up.

 

[shu 49]

While this is certainly true, I can tell you that any youth sports organization is/should be grateful for any participation by parents. There is a shortage of people who will help out, even if they have to learn as they go. It’s not ideal but it beats having no one step up.

Very true. I loved my pop Warner days.

 

[RandomGuy]

While this is certainly true, I can tell you that any youth sports organization is/should be grateful for any participation by parents. There is a shortage of people who will help out, even if they have to learn as they go. It’s not ideal but it beats having no one step up.

Absolutely. One year, my son had 2 hoops coaches that didn't know how to do a layup - but they were the ones that volunteered their time- thank goodness. Sitting there with 3 other Dads that also played Varsity hoops? We were embarrassed with ourselves. That was the end of that..

Each of us had work scheduling issues, but we figured it out to make sure the kids were covered , and volunteered every year thereafter. If you know whats going on, but may miss a practice once or twice a month? That's why there are assistant coaches.

 

[Tobias Funke]

I live in far western Alpharetta, GA, where Alpharetta, Roswell, and Milton meet. My son is in 6th grade, and this semester we enrolled him in the Milton Junior Eagles football program. Milton HS is up the street less than 5 minutes driving time. This is my first experience with organized sports, and I have some observations and questions.

My first observation is that the coaches seem to be parents of kids on the team, mostly. This includes Matt Battaglia, who played at Louisville, flirted with the NFL, and has a lengthy film career. Also Donte Rumph, who played at Kentucky, and spent a while in the NFL. The head coach was on the UCF basketball team; his son is the starting QB, despite being in 5th grade. Are the coaches typically athletes who played some sport at a non-trivial level? Is it unusual to have NFL types coaching?

Coach Rumph talked to me recently, and he is friends with Marquis Spruill. They both attended Fork Union, both were drafted by the Falcons, and they are still in touch. Cuse connection, check.

After watching 5 games in person, I'm amazed at the level of football on display for 11-year-old kids.

I live in Johns Creek, and we have seen very similar with basketball, and baseball. Where I grew up you played for your town league. Down here there are competing leagues and the coaching talent is insane. We had a baseball league ask to have my 6 year old move to their league. As for talent his name is escaping me but an opposing coach was a former Atlanta Falcon. his son played against my team of misfit 6,7 year olds in basketball. Kid comes on the court and has 6 inches on every other player. He is 6 years old, and played point guard. Socred at will against my tiny son.

 

[javadoc]

So my son's team ended up 11-0 in the GMSAA and won the league title.

Crazy bit from tonight. My son had a training session with Coach Rumph, who also works with kids at all levels here. In the middle of the session another of Coach's trainees stops in... Lebbeus Overton, DE from Milton High, class of 2023. #1 overall prospect in the 247 top 100.

 

[DMDMD]

So my son's team ended up 11-0 in the GMSAA and won the league title.

Crazy bit from tonight. My son had a training session with Coach Rumph, who also works with kids at all levels here. In the middle of the session another of Coach's trainees stops in... Lebbeus Overton, DE from Milton High, class of 2023. #1 overall prospect in the 247 top 100.

Did you slip him a bag?

 

[javadoc]

Did you slip him a bag?

That's classified.

But seriously, the only bags I'm delivering these days are McDonald's meals for the kids.

 

[FloridaFan]

That's classified.

But seriously, the only bags I'm delivering these days are McDonald's meals for the kids.

You could have slid him a McD’s Christmas pie and a McRib or BigMac meal. Lord knows id have done anything for those at 16-17

 

[DMDMD]

That's classified.

But seriously, the only bags I'm delivering these days are McDonald's meals for the kids.

You think our 'crootin is going to get into the top 40 giving out happy meals? Step up, man

 

[javadoc]

You think our 'crootin is going to get into the top 40 giving out happy meals? Step up, man

But, the toys! I may not be the swag daddy, but I'm aiming for swag uncle.